Attachment for sewing machines



Oct. 25, 1938. A. SOLTAN 2,134,010

ATTACHMENT FOR SEWING MACHINES Filed April 28, 1937 l 7/l/I/II/I/4 I Patented Oct. 25, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Alexander Sultan, Elmhurst, N. Y., assignor to Percy W. Valentine, Brooklyn, N. Y.

Application April 28, 1937, Serial No. 139,486

20 Claims.

This invention relates to an attachment for sewing machines of the kind employed for sewing the soles of shoes to the uppers, and the object of the invention is to provide an attachment of the class described having means for engaging and supporting a sole as well as the upper in the operation of stitching the upper to a welt lip formed on the sole, while maintaining the sole in a substantially vertical position and especially in the formation of what is known as inturned shoes; a further object being to provide an attachment of the class described employing a supporting member or spreader adapted to operate in the channel formed within the integral flange or welt in the stitching operation, and further wherein said support is rotatable to provide a freer movement of the sole in the stitching operation; a further object being to provide tensional means on the attachment cooperating with the presser-foot of the machine to aid in supporting the upper in connection with said flange in the stitching operation; a further object being to provide an attachment employing a folding arm or horn, freely adjustable toward and from the spreader, and having a rotatable disc or wheel at the free end portion thereof, providing free action of the sole and upper through and between the spreader and wheel in the stitching operation; a further object being to provide means for adjusting the vertical and lateral positions of said arm, and with these and other objects in view the invention consists in a device of the class and for the purpose specified which is strong and durable, as well as simple in construction and efiicient in use, and which is constructed as more fully here inafter described and claimed.

The invention is fully disclosed in the following specification, of which the accompanying drawing forms a part, in which the separate parts of my improvement are designated by suitable reference characters in each of the views, and in which Fig. 1 is a perspective View of an attachment made according to my invention.

Fig. 2 is a partial section on the line 2-2 .of Fig. 1 with part of the construction shown in elevation.

Fig. 3is a section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2; and

Fig. 4 is a section on the line 4-4 of Fig. 1.

This application forms an improvement on the structure shown and described in a prior patent granted to me July '7, 1936, No. 2,046,493, and in the accompanying drawing I have eliminated the stitching mechanism of the machine in order to simplify the illustration, but it will be understood that my improved attachment will be applicable to sewing machines in the manner diagrammatically illustrated in said patent.

In Fig. 1 of the drawing I have indicated at 5 a supporting bracket or base of the attachment having a lower L-shaped portion 6 to facilitate mounting of the attachment in connection with a sewing machine of the type and kind under consideration. The upper end portion I of the bracket is U-shaped in cross-sectional form and the inner adjacent surfaces of the side walls of the portion I are provided with beveled lateral projections 8 for adjustably supporting a block or bar 9 in the bracket, said block having angular flanges II] at the sides thereof cooperating with a construction shown. Rotatably mounted in the 1 forward end portion of the block 9 is a freely rotatable shaft I4 having an enlarged beveled disc I5 at the outer end thereof, the inner end of the shaft I4 having an adjustment lock-ring I'I provided with a set screw I8 for retaining the shaft against movement in one direction in said block, the shaft having a collar portion I9 adjacent the head I5 for limiting inward movement of the shaft in said block. 'It will appear that the ring I! is disposed in a recess in the block 9 and the shaft I4 is arranged so as to permit the outer flat surface I5a of the head I5 to clear the needle mechanism and to act as a guide and reinforcement for the needle in the stitching operation as it travels upwardly in front of the surface I5a. The shaft I4 is arranged at an angle in the block 9. 4

Arranged upon the plate' I3 is a supplemental block 20in which is mounted the rod 2! of a folding arm or horn 22 having an outer yokeshaped portion 23 in the channel or recess 24 of which the sole and upper are free to pass. The free end portion 25 of the yoke-shaped end 23 of the arm, is extended to a position forwardly of the head I5 Which forms the spreader, of the attachment, and on said end 25 is mounted a disc or Wheel 26 which is freely rotatable in. its support and cooperates with the spreader to support the sole and upper in proper positions in the stitching operation. The arm 22 is adjustable annular projecting flange 28 which operates in a groove 29 formed in the block 20 to retain the nut against movement in the block and to provide for forward and backward adjustment of the member 22 for reasons above stated. At 21a I have shown a knurled lock nut for retaining the member 22 in different positions of adjustment. I also provide means for regulating the height of the unit, consisting of the member 22 and theblock 20, and associated parts. This means consists of four vertically adjustable screws 30, disposed in the corner portions of the plate l3 and adapted to engage the lower surface of the supplemental block 20 and a lock or coupling screw 3| having a knurled head 3 la, for securing the block 20 in position on the plate l3. With this construction it will appear that the height of the disc or wheel 26 with respect to the spreader l5, may be varied to compensate for different kinds of work-pieces. k

I also provide means for adjusting the wheel laterally for proper alinement with the spreader l5, which consists of attaching a plate 32 to one side of the supplemental block 20 in such manner as to project below the block 20 and to overlie the adjacent side edge portion of the plate I3, and to arrange two milled screws 33 in the end portions of the plate 32 forwardly and rearwardly of the screw 3| so as to swing the block 20 on the screw 3| as a fulcrum or pivot to movethe wheel 26 transversely of the spreader l5. It will be understood that the movement of the block 20 at the pivot 3| will be slight as compared with the movement contributed to the wheel 26. When the desired adjustments have been made with regard to the vertical and lateral positions of the wheel 26, the screw 3|a will be tightened.

Arranged upon the top of the block 9 at the forward'end thereof, is a plate 34 having an upwardly projecting rounded stop 35and at one side of the plate 34 is an elongated bar 36, the forward end portion 31 of which is undercut to correspond with an undercut portion 9o. on the block 9 to provide clearance for the flange or well; lip 38 on the sole 39 as well as-that part of the upper including the lining therefor as indicated at 40 in Fig. 2 of the drawing. The-bar 36 has a laterally extending pivot pin 4| upon which is pivoted a pawl 42, the forward upwardly and outwardly curved and 43 of which is normally held in raised position by a flat spring 44 arranged upon the screw 45, employed for holding the bar 36 in position. It will beunderstood that the bar 36 is recessed to receive the pawl 42. This bar has an elongated aperture 46 through which'the screw 45 passes to provide front and rear adjustment of the bar as well as the pawl 42, which is movable therewith so as to adjust the position of the end 43 of the pawl and the end 31 of the bar with respect to the undercut Sa It will be understood that the end 43 of the pawl 42 is disposed in position to be engaged by the presser-foot of the sewing machine in the stitching operation, and will serve to support the flange 38 and that part of the upper at 46 in firm engagement with each other in thestitchingopspreader I5 enters the channel or recess 39a of the sole 39 under the flange 38, and to support the flange in extended position to provide for the stitching operation. It will be understood also, that as the sole 39 is moved between the spreader l5, and wheel 26, both of said parts are free to,

rotate so as to eliminate the binding of the sole and the upper between said parts. In other words to provide a free movement of the work-pieces therebetween.

It will be apparent that by virtue of the several adjustments provided, my attachment is adaptable for use in connection with work-pieces of varying dimensions as well as in different sizes and constructions, and especially with respect to different kinds of welts which may be employed.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. An attachment for sewing machines of the class described, for supporting the sole and upper in the operation of stitching the same together, said attachmentcomprising a rotatable spreader adapted to engage and support the welt lip of the sole, and means involving a swinging arm having a work-piece .engaging part adjustable toward and from said spreader for supporting the sole and the upper in position in the operation of stitching the same together.

2. An attachment for sewing machines of the class described, for supporting the sole and upper in the operation of stitching the same together, said attachment comprising a rotatable spreader adapted to engage and support the welt lip of the sole, means involving a swinging arm having a rotatable work-piece engaging part adjustable toward and from said spreader for supporting the sole and the upper in position in the operation of stitching the same together, and means for adjusting said arm and the part thereon laterally to aline said part with said spreader.

3. An attachment for sewing machines of the class described, for supporting the sole and upper in the operation of stitching the same together, said attachment comprising a spreader adapted to engage and support the welt lip of the sole, means involving a swinging arm having a workpiece engaging part adjustable toward and from said spreader for supporting the sole and the upper in position in the operation of stitching the same together, means for adjusting said arm and the part thereon laterally to aline said part with said spreader, and other means for adjusting said arm and part vertically. V

4. An attachment for sewing machines of the class described, for supporting the sole and upper in the operation of stitching the same together, said attachment comprising a spreader adapted to engage and support the welt lip of the sole, means involving a swinging arm having a work-piece engaging part adjustable toward and from said spreader for supporting the sole and the upper in position in the operation of 75:.

stitching the same together, means for adjusting said arm and the part thereon laterally to aline said part with said spreader, other means for adjusting said arm and part vertically, said spreader being rotatable in its support, and the part on said arm being rotatable to provide free movement of the work-piece between. said part and rotatable spreaden.

5. An attachment for sewing machines of the class described, for supporting the sole and upper in the operation of stitching the same together, said attachment comprising a spreader adapted to engage and support the welt lip of the sole, means involving a swinging arm having a Workpiece engaging part adjustable toward and from said spreader for supporting the sole and the upper in position in the operation of stitching the same together, means for adjusting said arm and the part thereon laterally to aline said part with said spreader, other means for adjusting said arm and part vertically, said spreader being rotatablein its support, the part on said arm being rotatable to provide free movement of the work-piece between said part and rotatable spreader, and spring actuated means arranged in close proximity to said spreader to aid in supporting the work-pieces in connection with said spreader.

6. An attachment for use in supporting the sole and upper in the operation of stitching the same together, said attachment comprising a block, means for adjustably mounting said block in a suitable support, a spreader at one end of the block for engaging and supporting the sole in the operation of stitching the same, and means movably and adjustably supported in connection with said block and having a rotatable part adapted to be arranged in close proximity tov said spreader to aid in the support of the sole and upper in the operation of stitching said parts together.

'7. An attachment for use in supporting the sole and upper in the operation of stitching the same together, said attachment comprising a block, means for adjustably mounting said block in a suitable support, a spreader at one end of the block for engaging and supporting the sole in the operation of stitching the same, means adjustably supported in connection with said block and having a part arranged in close proximity to said spreader to aid in the support of the sole and upper in the operation of stitching said parts together, means for adjusting said last named means vertically in said block and for retaining the same in different positions of adjustment.

8. An attachment for use in supporting the sole and upper in the operation of stitching the same together, said attachment comprising a block, means for adjustably mounting said block in a suitable support, a spreader at one end of the block for engaging and supporting the sole in the operation of stitching the same, means adjustably supported in connection with said block and having a part arranged in close proximity to said spreader to aid in the support of the sole and upper in the operation of stitching said parts together, means for adjusting said last named means laterally in said block to regulate the position of the part on said means with respect to said spreader, and means for adjusting said part toward and from the spreader.

9. An attachment for use in supporting the sole and upper in the operation of stitching the same together, said attachment comprising a block,

means for adjustably mounting said block in a suitable support, a spreader at one end of the block for engaging and supporting the sole in the operation of stitching the same, means adjustably supported in connection with said block and having a part arranged in close proximity to said spreader to aid in the support of the sole and upper in the operation of stitching said parts together, means for adjusting said last namedmeans laterally in said block to regulate the position of the part on said means with respect to said spreader, means for adjusting said part toward and from the spreader, and said last named means comprising a shaft, agrod, forming a pivot to provide swinging movement of saidpart in the different positions of adjustment thereof.

10. An attachment for use in supporting the sole and upper in the operation of stitching the same together, said attachment comprising a block, means for adjustably mounting said block in a suitable support, a spreader at one end of the block for engaging and supporting the sole in the operation of stitching the same, means adjustably supported in connection with said block and having a part arranged in close proxe imity to said spreader to aid in the support of the sole and upper in the operation of stitching said parts together, means for adjusting said last named means laterally in said block to regulate the position of thepart on said means with respect to said spreader, means for adjusting said 11. An attachment for use in supporting the sole and upper in the operation of stitching the same together, said attachment comprising a block, means for adjustably mounting said blockin asuitable support, a spreader at one endof the block for engaging and supporting the sole in the operation of stitching the same, means adjustably supported in connection with said block and having a part arranged in close proximity to said spreader to aid in the support of the sole and upper in the operation of stitching said parts together, means for adjusting said last named means laterally in said block to regulate the position of the part on said means with respect to said spreader, means for adjusting said part toward and from the spreader, said last named means comprising a shaft, a rod, forming a pivot to provide swinging movement of said part in the different positions of adjustment thereof, and adjustable means for limiting the swinging movement of said part in one direction.

12. A device of the class described comprising a yoke-shaped supporting bracket, a block adjustably mounted within the yoke of said bracket, a work-piece supporting member at one end of said block, a swinging work-piece supporting part on said block and arranged in close proximity tosaid member, and means for adjusting said part longitudinally of the block toward and from said member to compensate for Work-pieces of different thicknesses to be supported between said member and part.

13. A device of the class described comprising a yoke-shaped supporting bracket, a block adjustably mounted within the yoke of said bracket, a work-piece supporting member at one end of said block, a swinging work-piecesupporting part on said block and arranged in close proximityto said member, means for adjusting said part longitudinally ofthe block toward and from said member to compensate for work-pieces of different thicknesses to be supported between said member and part, and a spring actuated work-piece supporting element mounted in said block and arranged in close proximity to said memberto aid in supporting a work-piece in connection with said member.

14. A device of the class described comprising a yoke-shaped supporting bracket, a block adjustably mounted within the yoke of said bracket, a work-piece supporting member at one end of said block, a swinging work-piece supporting part on saidblock and arranged in close proximity to said member, means for adjusting said part longitudinally of the block toward and from said member to compensate for work-pieces of different thicknesses to be supported between said member and part, a spring actuated workpiece supporting element mounted in said block and arranged in close proximity to said member to aid in supporting a work-piece in connection with said member, and said element being adjustable longitudinally of said block.

15. A device of the class described comprising a yoke-shaped supporting bracket, a block adjustably mounted within theyoke of said bracket, a work-piece supporting member at one end of said block, a swinging work-piece supporting part on said block and arranged in close proximity to said member, and meansinvolving independently adjustable devices for adjusting said part toward and from, and laterally and vertically with respect to, said member.

16. A device of the class described comprising a yoke-shaped supporting bracket, a block adjustably mounted within the yoke of said bracket, a work-piece supporting member at one end of said block, a swinging work-piece supporting part on said block andarranged in close proximity to said member, means involving independently adjustable devices for adjusting said part toward and from, and laterally and vertically with respect to, said member, and means involving a yieldable element arranged in close proximityto said member to aid in supporting a work-piece in connection therewith.

1'7. A device of the class described comprising a yoke-shaped supporting bracket, a block adjustably mounted within the yoke of said bracket, a work-piece supporting member at one end of said block, a swinging work-piece supporting part on said block and arranged in close proximity to said member, means involving independ-' ently adjustable devices for adjusting said part toward and vfrom, and laterally and vertically with respect to, said member, means involving a yieldable element arranged in close proximity to said member to aid in supporting a work-piece in connection therewith, and said part having a yoke-shaped portion arranged at one side of and in alinement with said member..

18. A device of the class described comprising an elongated block having a work-piece supporting member at one end thereof, a supplemental block adjustably supported in connection with the other end of the first named block, a yokeshaped arm arranged at one side of the block and coupled with the supplemental block to provide swinging movement of the arm with respect to the first named block, the free end of said arm having a work-piece supporting part arranged in close proximity to said member, and means for adjusting said arm longitudinally of the supplemental block to adjust the part thereon toward and from said member.

19. A device of the class described comprising an elongated block having a work-piece supporting member at one end thereof, a supple-,

mental block adjustably supported in connection with the other end of the first named block, a. yoke-shaped arm arranged at one side of the block and coupled with the supplemental block to provide swinging movement of the arm with respect to the first named block, the free end of said arm having a work-piece supporting part arranged in close proximity to said member, means for adjusting said arm longitudinally of the supplemental block to adjust the part thereon toward and from said member, and another work-piece supporting element adjustably supported in connection with the first named block and tensionally movable therein to aid in supporting a work-piece in connection with said member and part.

20. An attachment for use in supporting the sole and upper in the operation of stitching the same together, said attachment comprising a block, means for adjustably mounting said block in a suitable support, means at the outer end of the block for supporting the sole and upper in engagement in stitching the same together, said means comprising two relatively adjustable disclike members arranged with the surfaces of said members in opposed relationship, one of said members being adjustable toward and from the other to regulate the spacing and alinement of said members, andone of said members forming a spreader for part of the sole in the operation of stitching the upper thereto.

ALEXANDER SOLTAN. 

